Shadows and Exposures: Chapter 7 – Finding the Playroom, Home for the Holidays a.k.a. Relocation of Sub Club, Andrew angst
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XXXXX
Thanksgiving, 2011
Aedan and Sabine's Home, Seattle
Sabine's POV
"Happy Thanksgiving, baby," Aedan scooped me up and carried me to the family room. "Breakfast of croissants, fresh fruit salad and mimosas while we watch the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade, sex, sleep, gourmet dinner by candle light with copious amounts of wine, more sex," Aedan leered at me.
"Sex?" I fake a yawn and a stretch.
"Let me tell you where I want to put my drumstick Mrs. Keyes. I'm sure it will make you blush," he whispered in my ear. "I like this nightgown…it makes me want to say rude things to you."
"Forget saying rude things…I'm looking forward to you doing rude things." I cuddle into his arms.
"For that I am truly grateful…" Aedan kisses slowly and thoroughly before his fingers explore my body.
XX
Friday, Family Day
Sabine and Aedan's Home
Sabine's POV
"Outside lights are up." Aedan stamped the snow from his boots before he entered the family room.
"Let me," I kneel before him and help him take off his boots. He strokes my hair. "Tree is up; lights are on it, Christmas tree skirt is in place." I rise and take his cap and mittens. "Give me your coat, sir."
"Sir?" He slipped it off and handed it to me. I put it in the coat closet. "I have a hot bath prepared for you, Sir, with a hot drink to warm you."
"I know what will warm me faster," He lunged for me, "let me put my cold hands on your warm body parts."
I ducked him…racing into the playroom. Before he got to me, my wrap dress was gone. I wore a candy cane striped bra and panties; and kneeled in position beside a drawn bath. The lights were out, the candles were lit, and a tray with a hot toddy waited on the bathroom cabinet.
"Strip me wench," he laughed; keeping his hands busy caressing me as I removed his clothes. He stepped into the tub. "Hot…just like my baby," He sat, enjoying the water and the bubbles while watching me put his clothes in the hamper. I took his hot toddy to him. He set it on the rim of the tub. "You are in the ensuite of our playroom…you are allowed to say yes Sir, no Sir, please Sir, and thank you Sir…bra off…" he said, watching me. I slowly remove my bra, teasing him as much as possible. He reached for it. "Step into the tub, sit on the rim." I sat down and he bound my hands before me with the bra. He handed me his drink and spread my legs as wide as possible. "Hold my drink for me; I think this is going to be a long bath." Slowly he began to wash himself from his head to his toes. Occasionally he stopped and dried his hands before taking a sip of his drink. While my hands were occupied; he stroked my legs and then bit my inner thigh. I squirmed as his talented mouth bit and sucked, leaving a hickey on my right thigh. "You liked that," he murmured…I think your panties are wet." He barely stroked me.
"Yes, Sir," I whispered.
"Well, I'm too busy enjoying my hot bath to take care of that problem…" He took another drink and placed the cup back in my hands. "Hum…I think you need a matching hickey," and he proceeded to give me one on my left thigh. My knees shook. I wanted that mouth on me…and he knew it.
XX
"Hum, Sabine, do you think there are enough angels on that tree." Aedan said from his seated position on the couch in the playroom.
"I thought you liked watching lingerie-clad Sabine decorate the tree." I teased.
"Do you want me to lift you to put on the Angel tree topper?" He asked.
"I think not…" I sighed. "If you put your hands on me right now…the tree might not get finished."
"I'll put it on," he said.
I went over and turned off the room lights, just letting the tree glow. He reached up and put the topper on. I sighed, looking at his body wrapped in black silk boxers and a black silk robe.
"See something you like?" He grinned.
"Yes," I sighed.
"What do you want pretty girl?" He asked.
"Please play with me, sir." I stand in position two, my eyes cast to the floor.
"What will I do with you in the playroom?" He walks behind me and tugs on my braid.
"I left a picture, with the restraints on the bed." I suggested.
"You've thought about this," he laughed; slowly walking toward the playroom. "Come this way," he wiggled his index finger at me."
"I probably could sir…but I prefer two fingers…" I say.
"Santa's sassy baby needs a spanking," he growled at me. "If she doesn't behave, her ass is going to glow redder than Rudolph's nose."
"It's on her wish list," I replied. "She left lots of visual aids in the room."
"Visual aids?" Aedan asked.
"Interesting scenes Santa's sassy baby found while looking for a Christmas present for you." I looked at the floor. I couldn't look him in the eyes.
XX
He undid my restraints, and his last task was to remove my blindfold. "I need to give you a massage; your muscles are tense from being tied for so long."
He lifted me to the ottoman and began a deep tissue massage. I floated for a while in subspace, and when I started becoming coherent, he turned me over, positioning himself in the valley between my breasts. When he was fully erect, he repositioned me, my torso resting on the ottoman, my knees on the floor. He moved behind me and knelt, restraining my hands behind my back. He lightly stroked a feather duster across my arms and my back as he maintained a slow rhythm with his thrusts. His slow, full pace filled me completely. I could feel every millimeter of his hardness inside me. I moaned with pleasure … which torched his desire. He dropped the duster and his hands went to my hips. He picked up the pace of his thrusts, harder, deeper, faster. I moaned again, but he ordered me not to come yet.
Orgasm denial…I began making lists of things to do in my head. Christmas cards to Aedan's family in the UK. Christmas gifts for the staff – I'd like to do a spa day at Coulter-Cameron for them again this year, with a catered lunch and mimosas. Melora deserves an additional present. I need to get presents for Aedan's staff also, with something extra for Dominick and Louie. I should get Dominick something special also for providing on-call security at Falcon Financials. I need something for Mrs. Barrett, the housekeeper. What to buy for Aedan? I want to send Grandmother Helene a silver-plated 8x10 framed photo of Aedan and my formal wedding picture. I want to send something special to Mary Danielle also, thanking her for the red garter – maybe a spa day at an exclusive place in Dublin. The homeowners' association Christmas party is a traveling potluck. Our street is assigned appetizers and drinks. I think I'll make large antipasti platters and chill some good white Italian wine. Should I invite Natalie and Luc to the Christmas party? Will it make our introductions easier?
Aedan shouted at me to come, and it took a full couple minutes to bring me back into the scene. We almost simultaneously came together – which is something he really likes. It doesn't always happen, but Aedan likes it when we do. I vow to myself to never tell him the list secret…ever. He lifts and carries me into the ensuite, turning on a steamy shower for us.
XXXXX
Thanksgiving Saturday and Sunday
Elena's House
Sabine's POV
"Susannah said she was in Elena's car, and Elena hit a remote which made a wall move in the garage. She said the playroom is under the 6-car garage. Does anyone mind telling me what Elena needed with a six-car garage?"
"Did Susannah say where?" Franco asked.
"She said garage. She said she was drunk the only time she was an overnight guest here. Elena said she had things to do; hit the remote and disappeared. Susannah said she went to the guest room with a maid and didn't see Elena until the morning."
"Was Isaac living upstairs?" Franco asked.
"She didn't know," I said.
"Well, let's empty the cars and prep them for sale. Then we can start emptying the garage." Aedan suggested. "Maybe once it's empty we can find the entrance to the playroom."
"Taylor is the best at selling cars. We just need to find the titles." I said, ignoring Aedan's face.
"You know this from experience?" Aedan asked.
"Told you – sold the Mustang, the GTO, and the pickup – bought the Audi. Not discussing it again." My voice cracked.
Franco heard the tension in my voice. "Well, I thought about the safe room, and figured the playroom must be hidden via remote also. I tried all the remotes in the house with no joy. Then I remembered there was a garage door remote in the bag of personal effects the police gave me when I claimed her body," Franco said. "At the time, I thought it was an extra remote for the automatic garage door. It matches the remote for the safe room in the wine cellar. I changed the batteries…so here goes." He pushed the open button when a rumble reached our ears. A shelving unit under the stairway to the chauffer's quarters grated and swung open. "You would never know where to find it. Thank god Susannah said something before we called in the estate people to clear the place."
Aedan and I gave one another a look and walked toward the stairway. The shelving unit hid a set of highly polished wooden stairs. Franco hit the light at the top of the stairs and down we went. When we hit the bottom of the stairs, I had to sit on a step and put my head between my legs until the clamor in my head disappeared.
"Fuck me to tears," Franco said.
"Don't say that phrase ever again…" I said to him. "I'm sure that happened multiple times in here."
"Wow," Aedan whistled. "Wow – a private soundproof playroom capable of hosting what – twelve to eighteen players at once?"
Recessed lighting made up for the lack of windows. The playroom was the size of a five car garage. The 'office/viewing' area and stairs took up most of the area dedicated above to the sixth bay and the staircase to the chauffer's quarters.
On the far wall, three portable bondage platforms with cages, padded leather frames with attachable stocks and pillory frame were separated by racks holding floggers, whips and canes. On either end of the bondage platforms were a tantric sex chair and an interrogation chair. The bondage platforms were made-to-order one piece dungeon units for confinement, bondage, flogging, whipping or caning. The submissive could be tethered by wrists and ankles to the front upright posts if they were standing, to each of the four posts if they lay on the leather covered bench. They would lean over the bench and be restrained to the back upright posts for spanking or caning. On a kind day, the units were sturdy enough to hold two bodies for multiple sex positions. On the wall across from the bondage platforms were two St. Andrew's crosses with two rope bondage tables located between them. At the bottom of the stairs was an 'office/viewing room" with two locked lateral file cabinets spanning a TV/DVD personal viewing station and six theatre seats facing out a one-way-mirror that providing viewing lines to every corner of the room.
Two poles located in the middle of the room could be used for stripper or bondage poles. They had one bar between them to hold a person for suspension or to hang a sex swing. On the wall opposite the "office/viewing room" was a well stocked and organized cupboard system filled with various kinds of restraints, blindfolds, gags, bondage mittens, belts, harnesses, collars, leashes, hoods, bondage tapes, medical implements and medical restraints, pony play items, different size spreader bars, different lengths of different types of rope, sensory deprivation kits, and TENS units. Unmarked bins held lubes, dildos, wands, cock rings, ben-wa balls, anal plugs, anal beads, cuffs, gags, clamps, vibrators, and other toys.
Aedan reached for his phone. "I'm calling Louie and Dominick. They can go get a large moving van, and move all this out, overnight, and get it to a storage unit. I say if they clear the room, they can have the stuff to sell."
"I'm going to soak in a vat of bleach," Franco declared.
"Good idea," Franco stated. "I wouldn't have the first clue how to list this on inventory and justify the sale of it, especially if we're donating the proceeds of Elena's estate to a non-profit agency. Here," he said in a sugary sweet tone and mimicking Elena's mincing steps, "this $1K came from selling BDSM cages." He threw a suggestive pose, leaning against a bondage pole.
"I need to shower after we get this cleared." I said, Franco's pose was DISTURBING to say the least. "Tell Louie and Dominick to bring a digital camera to take pictures while the furniture is assembled, and a tool kit to disassemble and take things out of here. They're going to need Ziploc bags for screws and pieces parts, and boxes."
"I'm going to soak in a vat of bleach," Franco shuddered.
"What are we going to do about that," Aedan pointed to the office.
"Have Louie and Dominick hire two moving vans, one large and one small. Have them back right up to the closest bay in the garage. We'll put the lateral file cabinets into the small truck and take them to Grey Management. Tomorrow, Franco and I can start going through lateral files. They have to empty the playroom and the remainder of the furniture out of the viewing room into the big truck and get it out of here before Wednesday. It can go to Locke and Keyes storage unit until they get the stuff sold."
"What are your plans for the files," Aedan asked.
"First we have to get through all the files. We've been separating paperwork into the various salons and Elena's house. Once we get through doing that, we need to separate according to fiscal years. Elena's personal financials have to be separated into calendar years. Once we have everything sorted and scanned, Sabine can tell us what can be shredded by a professional shredding services and what has to be archived." Franco explained.
"I like that plan," Aedan said. "Louie, Dominick, you, Sabine and I will take boxes of things down to be shredded when it is time. We need one security officer at the truck to make sure nothing is saved and nothing is gone through. We need one security officer to keep the office safe. In the meantime, we have to get through that stuff in the lateral files without anyone knowing we found it, and are protecting it."
"Works for me," I announced, and Aedan started firing off orders to Louie and Dominick via cell.
"Once we get the playroom cleared, I will talk with Mr. Grey. I wonder if his brother will be up for renovating the space into staff quarters. It would raise the value of the house. There are issues with saying Elena lived here. With Mr. Grey as pending owner, and repairs by his brother, hopefully we can bypass the Elena ownership issue. We can have him look at the safe room and decide if it should be converted to a safe/panic room." Franco said.
"Tell Sabine when you are showing them the place. She can stay home that day and avoid unnecessary entanglements," Aedan ordered.
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Sunday after Thanksgiving
November 27, 2011
Grey Management
Sabine's POV
"Where's Aedan?" Franco asked.
"He's at the storage unit with Dominick and Louie. They're creating a sales flyer about the items retrieved from the playroom."
"I didn't find keys to those lateral files anywhere," Franco said. "I brought a hammer. I'm going to pound the key mechanism out."
"Let me try with a letter opener," I suggested.
"Nope…I've got a load of Elena-induced aggression to work out of my system." He started pounding on locking mechanisms. Three serious strikes later, the first one popped out of its hole. "Open sesame…" He opened it to stacks of DVDs.
"My sainted auntie's panties!" I swore. "You know that we don't have to watch, but we do have to boot each DVD to make sure there are no office documents on them."
Franco placed stacks and stacks of DVDs on the conference table. Franco and I set up our laptops and began booting each DVD.
XX
Two hours later
Nothing but skin. I shuddered and took my half of the DVDs back to the conference room and put them in the file.
"Skin flicks, training flicks, crap," Franco said. "Let's attack the next one."
The top drawer was empty except for a ledger written in code. Franco passed it over to me. It didn't list names, dates, places, amounts of money but was symbols followed by numbers. I looked at pages and pages and formed only one conclusion. Elena should have been put out of someone's misery years ago. Even if I had the inclination, I didn't care to hire a code breaker at that point. "I haven't a clue. I don't know the code key. I'm not sure if it is worth trying to break the code. I say shred the damn things."
"I have to agree with you. We've got enough work to do this next week with the sales companies removing things from the house. I'll call Taylor and let him know we found three file drawers of DVDs that we're going to shred. I'm not going to mention the ledger…" he paused. He put one DVD in the player on his laptop. He looked at the creation date of the movie. Then he started the movie. "I don't recognize that person." He pulled the DVD and put in the next one. "Hey, doesn't that look like one of the subs?" He pointed to a brunette.
"Could be," I said, "but that was filmed in a club somewhere. It's not a private playroom. Someone used CCTV and then transferred it to DVD. I have to tell you, I think it's over a decade old. I don't think it's anyone from our sub club."
"So we could be looking at stuff that's decades old." Franco said.
"I'm not looking at anymore. I don't care what the ledger says. I think we should take pictures of all these DVDs and the ledger being shredded." I said.
"Good thing there's a lock on the conference room door," Franco said. "I don't want anyone looking at this stuff."
"Can we get a shredding truck here Tuesday? I don't want this stuff sitting around. Wednesday, Thursday, Friday we are at the house 9-5. What the companies don't take out of Elena's house I can ask Louie and Dominick to pack it up Sunday and deliver to St. Vincent de Paul's Thrift Store on Monday. What did Grey say about the playroom and safe room conversions?"
"He's taking Elliott out there on the Monday. Elliott will decide what needs to be done. He agreed to the conversions to increase the value of the house. We're already going to be at a loss if people figure out the house belongs to Elena."
"We're going to have to clear the house before the construction guys get started," I said. "Sunday is going to be a full move day for the five of us and a moving van if we want the place emptied for Grey's inspection on Monday. Can you call the cleaning crew to start on Tuesday instead of Monday? That way I don't have to be there to supervise them while you are talking to Grey Construction." I email Aedan, Louie and Dominick.
"Depending upon if Grey Construction takes on the job, and depending on the timeline, we may not be able to list the house for sale until April." Franco frowned.
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Monday after Thanksgiving
Aedan and Sabine's home, Seattle
Sabine's POV
"What are you doing?" Aedan nuzzled my neck.
"Cooking to fill the freezer and relieve stress," I bent my head to give him better access to my neck. "What are you doing?"
"Thinking of kinky ways to relieve your stress," Aedan said, nipping my shoulder and caressing my ass.
"I can't play until I'm done cooking," I said. "I don't want anything to burn."
He kissed the nape of my neck softly, over and over and then gave me a stern swat on my ass. "I got the hint pretty girl. Why don't I clean out your car, and then we can go car shopping this afternoon?"
"Sounds like a plan!" I agreed.
"By the way, Detective Clark called about the CCTV when your car was vandalized. Tall, slim young man, black motorcycle clothes, wearing black gloves. He climbed the fence around the establishment, slashed the tires, and escaped over the fence."
"I wonder if it's the motorcycle rider who tried to break into Elena's home." I shrug. "One more mystery for Franco and I to solve."
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Wed – Thurs – Fri
Estate Sales Companies – Elena's Estate
Sabine's POV
"Next Monday Grey Construction is coming to view the house. Tuesday the cleaning crew starts here. They should be done here by Friday. The following Monday they begin with the salons and work until Friday. If necessary, they begin again the following Monday. I gave them marching orders to have Elena's house done first and to have all the work completed before the 21st. Isodene, Richard and I are flying out to Belize and the Bahamas the week of the 26th to the 30th. Isodene sent copies of the paperwork via Global Express mail to the banks. We may not bring home the offshore funds this trip, but we will get everything started to eliminate issues."
"Beginnings are good things. No issues then with the paperwork we found in the safe?" I asked.
Franco took a deep breath. "The power of attorney for Mr. Grey to access the funds? Not an issue. You obviously haven't had time to read the insurance paperwork. I, on the other hand, have been studying it for days. There is at least half a million in antique oriental furniture in this place; There's beds, armoires, chests, writing desks, corner chairs with original tapestry, dressing tables with benches, plant stands, bookcases, a marble topped console table in the foyer, a console table in the hall between the formal living room and the family room, sofas, side tables, plus a dozen chairs." He grinned. "Not to mention the dining room set for 12, the matching sideboard and china closet." He laughed self consciously. "Someone would kill for that game table in the family room."
"I never thought I would say this," Franco said, "but her interior decorator knew their stuff. The living room is based on that vase." He pointed at an oriental vase decorated in shades of gold, cobalt, turquoise and purple. The room reflected all those colors. The home office was based on the cloisonné horse – light blue, dark blue, dusky rose, and sage green. The foyer is decorated after that umbrella stand in dark blue, dusky rose and white. I know Elena never had the class to put together this house. She must have gone to an oriental auction, bought out twenty lots, handed them to the decorator and told them to make it happen."
"That would explain the color use in this house versus the only black clothes she wore. She was Goth before Goth became popular." I laughed.
"Whatever nonprofit gets chosen in the end will be lucky. The house is stuffed. It's like walking into a Victorian parlor sometimes." Franco snorted. "It must have taken her housekeeper half a day to dust every room."
"Did we get the rewritten contract for Absolute Auctions to take the contents of the safe room?" I asked.
"They are taking the silver, wine, furniture and the safe." Franco said. "Is that coffee ready yet? I'm desperate to wake up. Security called me in the middle of the night. Our intruder from last time was trying to break in again."
"Coffee will be ready soon. There's healthy fruit and fiber muffins and a fruit salad as well, in case you didn't eat breakfast. Security put up a marquee around the garage so the estate sales companies can get things out of the house without people seeing what we are doing," I commented.
"I wasn't sure you were here until Security told me you bought a new car." Franco commented. "I like it!"
"It's pretty nice huh? 2012 Subaru Legacy, will all the bells and whistles. Safe enough for any accountant to drive." I laughed. "Aedan and I decided to get normal plates for it. The personalized plates are an open invitation for some asshole like Lawrence Lincoln to follow me."
"I love the wine color." Franco said. "Why did you decide to get rid of the Audi?"
"I can give you fifteen reasons," I thought. I shrugged. "I was due for a change. Speaking of change, did you get the sub club funds from Taylor?"
"He's delivering the funds on Monday when Grey comes with his brother to look at the house." Franco said. "I'm taking the funds to the safe at the GM office. I don't know where else to put it until we need it."
"You need to contact the sub club. We need to have a meeting on Saturday, December 10th in a secure, but neutral territory, like a hotel suite. We'll feed them lunch and tell them this is a onetime only proposition – $50K and a first class plane ticket to relocate." I explained.
XX
"Here." Dari had an armload of things. She handed Sabine a half-moon framed object. "A framed fan from the 1820's; created in ivory, silk and sapphire chips. It's quite pretty. I didn't know if you wanted me to take it, or if you want Louis to take it because it's oriental."
"We'll ask," Franco said.
"Adam found this large, neoclassical style mirror with carved cornucopias and decorated in gold leaf. He wanted to know if I wanted it, and it's not really something we sell in the store."
"Wow." Sabine looked at it. "Where was that hidden?"
"In an armoire," Dari shrugged. "It's gorgeous. Adam says it's circa 1820-1830 and worth about $5,000. The last thing Adam found that he wanted to ask about is the art nouveau lamp by Williamson. It looks like a Tiffany but it isn't; it has aged brass with an excellent patina. The stained glass shade is in mint condition. It's dated 1904. It's about 15 inches high and has a water lily motif. Adam says it is worth at least $20,000 since it's in mint condition."
"You have to be kidding." Sabine whispered.
"Nope," Dari grinned. "Are you sure the owner of the house doesn't have family? That's an heirloom if she's got cousins."
The doorbell rang. "No cousins. I'll send text and photos to Franco since he disappeared. It must be time for Adam and crew to arrive," Sabine checked her watch.
"Absolute Auctions crew," announced security.
"Adam, Franco said to take the mirror and lamp with you. Security has installed a marquee, so you'll back your truck up to the marquee and carry furniture from the house through the marquee and load your truck. We're trying to keep a low profile with the neighbors." Sabine offered him a list. "Franco is in the wine cellar; that's where he would like you to start. He figured moving the safe would be first on the list because of the size and weight. The marquee is big enough to create a staging area for loading your trucks. Lunch will be available from twelve to two. It's soup and sandwiches. There's cold water in the refrigerator and we'll keep a pot of coffee going."
XX
Friday afternoon
"Dari finished on Wednesday." Sabine consulted a piece of paper in her hand. "She left a flash drive of pictures and paperwork." I waved a clipboard at Franco. "Louis's group finished yesterday. He's dropping off paperwork today. The carpets have been the biggest problem since they have to move furniture to get to them. Adam and his crew are finishing up also. The truck they brought with them is full. They rented a second smaller truck at noon." I handed Franco two clipboards. "Complete some paperwork so we can send some of these people on their way."
"Mr. Lee is coming in; his last truck is getting ready to leave." Security notified her.
"Thank you for the opportunity to work with you." Louis Lee shook her hand. "My assistant downloaded the photos from the digital camera to this flash drive for you for documentation. I'll be in touch as things progress. Since we removed so much, I'm thinking we should have an auction. I have two other estates besides yours where we removed a great quantity of items. I will call you when we decide on an auction date." He smiled and left.
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Sunday, December 4
Elena's House
Sabine's POV
We started early in the morning and packed a large moving van full of stuff the estate sales companies did not take. Miscellaneous furniture, dishes, pots and pans, sheets, towels, kitchen towels, kitchen storage sets, personal appliances like sonic toothbrushes, paraffin wax baths, blow dryers, curling irons, scales, etc. Aedan, Franco, Louie and Dominick started emptying miscellaneous leftover furniture and items from the chauffer's quarters and cook's quarters first, while I started packing boxes of kitchen things. Franco called for sandwich delivery at noon. The men checked the attic and removed everything. There were half a dozen boxes of paperwork that Franco put in his car. We left the drapes and blinds closed because there was no sense announcing the place was empty. We left soaps, paper towels, toilet paper and a wastebasket in the kitchen bathroom. It was close to six by the time we did a walk-through to ensure the place was empty. Franco was right, the empty house resonated with silence and we could hear every raindrop on the roof.
"Dominick and Louie are finished. They will take the remainder of the household stuff to St. Vincent de Paul's thrift store tomorrow and then return the rental truck." I tell Franco.
"Have the guys give me the truck rental and gas receipts so I can reimburse them. Then you can have originals of everything for financials." Franco said.
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Sunday, December 5, 2011
Seattle
"They found the playroom," Isaac said, showing a flyer to Lawrence. "That equipment came from Elena's playroom. It's for sale by private owners but the phone number is a burner phone answered by one of Locke and Keyes security guards. My information is useless now. We waited too long to sell the information I know to them. They've obviously found the safe room too. They've probably found the blackmail materials also."
"My P.I. said they moved the last of the furniture and household goods out today." Lawrence said. "We're going to watch for contact between some of Elena's girls and Franco. Someone has those materials and it would be worth the effort to retrieve them."
"I still think De Luca and Keyes found the materials and took them to Grey Management; but we can't get anyone in there to tell us what is going on." Isaac said.
"You don't think Franco and Sabine would just shred those materials do you?" Lawrence asked Isaac.
"I guarantee they shredded their own materials first. But, knowing Sabine Falco's hatred of Elena…I can guarantee she probably shredded everything, including Grey's information." Isaac said.
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Tuesday, December 6, 2011
Grey Management
Sabine's POV
"Taylor picked up the paperwork and keys for Elena's vehicles. He's taking them to be sold." Franco said. "Grey Construction starts work renovating the playroom and the safe room starting December 26th. Elliott estimates it will be at least a three-month job, possibly bordering on four months depending upon what they do to install windows in the playroom. Which means we can't hire a real estate agent until April first? The real estate agent has to be motivated to get it sold by June 1. I have tentative dates from Louis, Dari and Adam for estate auctions. The diamonds have been delivered to Christy's in LA to add to the jewelry sale February first."
"What was that woman doing with $4 million in loose diamonds?" I asked.
"I don't want to know," Franco said in a quiet voice. "I'm praying to god she wasn't blackmailing some Russian mob guy and that our lives aren't in danger."
"Today the shredding truck comes for the DVDs and ledger." I warned Franco. "Then the lateral files can go to charity. I have to get back to paperwork. We've lost so much time. I've got to concentrate on files between now and forever."
"Saturday, lunch, one o'clock, Latourell Falls Suite, Fairmont Olympia. I have arranged for lunch for you, me, two close protection officers and eleven subs. I promised them champagne, lunch and funds. Every one of them said yes." He took a deep breath. "On Monday, December 26 when Elliott begins work on Elena's estate, I'm going to be out of the country."
"Requisitioning tour?" I ask.
"Isodene has been a busy little researcher. Several years ago while on vacation in the Bahamas – Elena set up her offshore accounts. She hired a private jet, flew to the Bahamas, and began to launder her money. Elena had an offshore corporation formed in Belize, with an offshore trust fund formed in the Bahamas. She had two offshore accounts, one bank and one brokerage. She formed Esclava International as a cover corporation. It is a mailbox in Belize which forwards mail to her at a mailbox here in Seattle quarterly. The bank account pays for the fees to incorporate, business license, insurance and mailbox. The brokerage account manages a living trust fund which currently holds $35 million dollars. The bank account currently holds half a million. The brokerage account is sending all the paperwork forward to claim Elena's assets and close the accounts."
"What are you not telling me?" I ask
Franco blew out a breath. "The brokerage account is keeping its half a million to do all the paperwork, but they are notifying the IRS of the closed account. The management team has to work out a tax settlement with the IRS."
"My sainted auntie's panties!" I exclaimed.
"When it's over, Grey Management might have enough to pay off the mortgages. There's not going to be enough to keep the chain open. Consequently, Grey has authorized payment of the mortgages, sales of the salon equipment and furniture. Grey Construction is renovating all the salons, except the one at Bravern Center, as business/office spaces. They will take them on as rentals from Grey House."
"I'll work on paperwork when you're out of the country." I promised Franco. "Get a tan for me."
XXXXX
Saturday, December 10, 2011
Fairmont Olympia Hotel
Sabine's POV
"Welcome ladies, welcome." Franco greeted eleven members of the sub club. "All of you know me, Franco De Luca. Some of you know Sabine Falco. We have invited you to hear an offer you should not refuse."
"Before we start this conversation, how many of you have been in contact with Leila Williams since September 1?" I opened the floor with a bomb. Since no one would admit to the conversation, I segued into my speech. "If you did not know – Leila is living on the East Coast near her family and going to school under the largess of Christian Grey. It's also true that her husband divorced her, her lover died and she had a nervous breakdown. She threatened Mrs. Grey's life."
A lot of the subs gasped.
"Mr. Grey could have had her arrested; instead he is paying doctor bills and trying to make her self-sufficient so that she does not return to wreak havoc in his life." I said.
Franco picked up the conversation from there. "This is the situation…Mr. Grey's legendary bad temper has shown itself again. He does not want anything to do with any of you. He agreed to release some funds from Elena's estate to give to you. But…he has rules and I suggest you follow them."
"One; you will sign a new NDA. If you attempt contact with Mr. or Mrs. Grey or any business owned by Grey Enterprises Holdings, you will be taken to court. This means no communication via letters, phone, fax, third party contact, e-mail, blog, posts on web sites or social media. You do not ever attempt to contact one another again in the future. There will be no vacations with one another, no emails, no phone calls, and no more lunches or meetings where you discuss Christian Grey ad nauseum."
Franco paused, waiting for comments from the ladies, but as there were none, he continued. "Two; you will relocate to a new city. You will receive a non-refundable first-class plane ticket to the city of your choice. You will not return to Seattle. Three; you will sign a contract with De Luca Concepts for consulting. You will receive $50,000. You will receive $25,000 cash today to clear any bills you have in Seattle. Four; the day of your flight; I will give you an additional $25K – in the form of a cashier's check, with a copy of the signed contract saying you provided consultant services. You will complete a W4 form today. Additionally, you will receive a W2 form for your $50K. All taxes will be paid on the $50K and it will not be deducted from your $50K."
Franco paused again, waiting for comments from the subs.
"If you think you are taking a vacation in Las Vegas and blowing your nest egg, then returning to Seattle to wheedle more funds out of Christian Grey – you are sadly mistaken. Half the problem each of you faces is that you've never been responsible for your own health, safety and future. Elena Lincoln flashed cash at you and you did what you were told. Now, I'm telling you – if you want the cash, I want cooperation. I don't give a damn what Elena promised you. She's gone. Her contacts are gone. Any contracts, proposed or signed, are null and void. You will not be hired at Esclava Salons as shampoo girls. Neither Franco nor I are going to pimp or play matchmaker for you." I state.
"Elena took care of everything for us, $50K barely covers what I made in a year," Susannah Martin argued.
"Well, I don't believe prostitution is a taxable occupation," Franco said, antagonizing Susannah. "I personally don't believe Elena negotiated with Grey for funds for the sub club. I know for a fact she was arranging dates for some of you." His comment angered a few of the ladies who appeared to be reaching for handbags in preparation to leave.
I interjected to keep them from walking out. "I think she gave you ladies money out of her own pocket, business or dirty dealings… whatever… to keep you financially subservient to her. It was her way of keeping tabs on you and keeping control of him. This is your last Elena-funded opportunity to change your life." I said in my best Domme voice; watching the expressions on their faces.
"Lunch is served – soup, salad, quiche, champagne," Franco said in a cold voice. "We are NOT discussing Christian or Anastasia Grey. We are not discussing Elena Lincoln. We are not discussing Esclava Salons. You may discuss personal interests and possible places to relocate."
"What if we choose not to leave Seattle?" Chelsea Clark asked.
"I strongly suggest you change your mind." Franco snapped. "There is no money if you don't relocate. End of discussion. My lawyer is prepared to acquire protection and no contact orders against you to protect Christian and Anastasia Grey, Sabine and myself. If you come near any of us or our businesses, you will go to jail. If you attempt to contact any of us in any way, shape or form, you will go to jail. After lunch, Sabine and I are adjourning to the bedroom. We'll call you in one at a time, finalize your paperwork, print plane tickets, and provide the first half of funds, etc. Once we're done with you, you will be escorted out of the suite. You have to be out of Seattle by December 25th because I have to be out of the country starting December 26th. After lunch, start calling family and friends and start making plans to leave the state."
XX
"Please don't take this the wrong way," Franco said. "But that is the cheerleader effect out there."
"Cheerleader effect?" I stared at him.
"Great looking crowd of women…but individually…not so pretty." He grinned.
"Aedan would call that the sub-100 club – all petite females under 100 pounds who can be tossed around a playroom like a stuffed toy."
"Grey has a type," Franco laughed. "Let's get this started." He opened the door to the bedroom, while I tested the printer.
XX
"Alexia Davies," Franco introduced one of fifteen to me. "Where have you planned to go?"
"I'm going to the Dallas-Ft. Worth area," She said softly. "I have family there. I was planning to relocate once I received my income tax refund so this is a head start. I want to leave town by the nineteenth and be home for Christmas."
I look up flight schedules for her. "Preferred time to depart?"
"Morning; I can't wait to get out of this town, and go live where it's warm. I apologize Sabine. You were right about Elena all these years. I didn't realize how much she interfered in my life until she was gone."
"I blame him," I said softly. "I wasn't one of her girls, but she would not leave me alone because I had been with him. She obsessed over him to the point that she tried to control all of us."
"Do you think she was about to be arrested for pedophilia?" Alexia lowered her voice.
"Did you ever see her with underage boys?" Franco asked.
"I went with her once to a career day at one of the high schools. She spent a lot of time in private chats with sophomore boys. I never saw her with them afterward, but she gave out at least a dozen business cards."
"Why sophomore boys?" Franco asked.
"Because they are old enough to drive," I said. It's easier to get a fake I.D. for them if they have a learner's permit or driver's license." They both stared at me in amazement. "Aedan and I learned that in a safety class taught by the Seattle Police Department. Additionally at sixteen, unless they have a very willing girlfriend, most of them have only had their hand as sexual company. Most of them couldn't find or afford a prostitute, so what do you do when someone offers you a blow job on a regular basis?"
"Describe the boys," Franco asked Alexia.
"Tall, lean, curly hair, light-colored eyes," Alexia explained.
"Grey's not the only one with a type," Franco muttered.
I purchase and print tickets for her and give Franco the information. He hands me her W4 Form and I complete a W2 form for Alexia. She signs her contract and new NDA. Franco makes copies for her. He hands her an envelope with $25K, the plane ticket and the W2 form. "I will meet you for breakfast at the Sheraton Hotel on Monday morning and give you the rest of your funds." He walked her to the front door of the suite and returned with the next sub.
XX
"Krista Mason," Franco announced. "Three of fifteen. You've met her before."
"So, I have a question," Krista said, "Why aren't you included in the get the hell out of town before sundown edict?"
"I was never a member of the sub club. I never broke my NDA by meeting or talking to the rest of Grey's subs. I never worked for Elena Lincoln. I have a husband and business, like Dr. Charlotte. She's not being relocated either. So, where are you going?"
"Phoenix; my cousin lives there. She owns a real estate business. I called her; she said she needs help at her office. She'll help me take real estate classes and will mentor me." Krista said.
"Day and time you want to leave?" I ask.
"Can I go by train? That way I could pack a lot of my stuff in rolling footlockers and take it with me. Or maybe I can drive myself there?" Krista finishes signing her new NDA and contract and completes the W4 form. "My car is less than a decade old, and has less than 100K miles on it. I would need to take it to be serviced before loading it up and leaving town."
Franco looked at me. "It's three days of driving – Seattle to Boise, Boise to Las Vegas, Las Vegas to Phoenix, almost 1500 miles. I know this because I did a vacation in Phoenix once. If you go by train you have to go Amtrak to LA and then change in LA and go to Phoenix. I recommend you sell your car and furniture; then ship your remaining stuff to Phoenix and fly."
Alexia thought about it. "I'll fly. Can you put me on a red eye on December 23rd? I'm going to need the time to sort through my stuff and make plans."
I purchase and print tickets for her and give Franco the information. He hands me her W4 Form and I complete a W2 form for her. Franco hands her an envelope with $25K, the plane ticket and the W2 form along with copies of her contract and NDA. "I will meet you at Sea-Tac at eleven p.m. on the 23rd and give you the rest of your funds." He walked her to the door of the suite and brought in the next sub.
XX
Jessica Jackson planned to relocate to Boston. Ashley Miller was pleased to leave town and surprise her grandmother in New Orleans at Christmas. Jennifer Wilson choose Atlanta. Amanda Anderson thought she would go home to family in Denver.
"Lisa Logan," Franco announced, "nine of fifteen."
She intently observed me, and I observed her. "You're not relocating?" she asked.
"No, I'm staying here with my husband. You know him, Aedan Keyes. You tried to contract with him as a trainer when I was contracted with Grey."
"So he told you, did he?" Her surprise was evident.
"Not just him; Elena rubbed it in my face." I lied.
"I don't think she told you anything," she snapped.
I quoted three of Lisa's passages directly from the notes in my materials from Elena's safe. She blanched. "Where do you want to go?" I asked coldly.
"Grey's penthouse, but since that's not an option; I'll go to Charlotte, North Carolina. I have friends there. I have a retail sales background. I can find a job there until I determine what to do with myself." Lisa said. "You know, you made my life a living hell. Grey was so pissed about your excessive limits that I was allowed a total of six limits – three soft and three hard."
"Who told you that? Grey or Elena?" I asked. When she didn't answer, I continued. "If you had been trained properly, you would be aware each person's limits are personal, based on their background, training, feelings, etc. and are not to be dismissed or ignored. One contract does not cover all relationships. Never did; never will."
"Elena assured me I would be the next submissive when you contracted with him. I was at the club that night, waiting for my preliminary interview. I saw you, acting as bar girl. I wasn't impressed. It must have been the mask that made him choose you."
"I understood Elena had half a dozen potentials waiting in a suite for Mr. Grey to observe and choose who to interview. I was completely dressed and leaving the place when he stopped me. Elena asked me to join her group in the suite, but I refused."
"Why?" Lisa asked.
"I didn't like Elena. I'm not into women – especially ones that touch without permission and do not stop when they are safe worded. I wasn't looking for a Dom when I met Mr. Grey." I explained.
"So you played hard to get and he fell for it?" She sniped.
"I doubt Mr. Grey has ever fallen for anything in his life, except for Mrs. Grey." I replied. "This conversation is ended. Tell me what date and time you plan to leave so I can acquire your plane tickets. Don't vex me or I will book you flying in and out of six different airports. Additionally I will tell them you are incontinent and will acquire seats next to the bathroom on all the flights."
XX
Once Lisa left the suite, Franco returned to the bedroom alone and closed the door. "Sabine, I have to ask. You don't have to tell me, but I have to ask. Why did you contract with Mr. Grey?" Franco asked.
"I can't tell you; it breaks my NDA. The sub club can be bitchy about me not joining, but I have more to lose than they do if I piss that man off. I was never one of them – I understood Grey's rules. I did my best to comply with them. I don't know what Elena was telling them; but Grey said once we terminated, that was it."
"Do you think Elena was telling them they had another shot with him?" Franco was astonished.
"I don't know what Elena was telling them; but I don't see any advantage in sharing the joys of a physically fit, well endowed Christian Grey for the fourth time in one night." I shrugged.
Franco stared at me with his mouth hanging wide open in shock.
XX
Chelsea Clark, who could barely stand and was drunk when we interviewed her, chose Nashville. "I have a great singing voice," she slurred. "I'm sure I can become as famous as Gretchen Wilson or Miranda Lambert."
When she accessed the bathroom, Franco shook his head. "I'm going to have to keep an eye on that one. She'll probably be too drunk to make the plane on time by herself." He said in a low voice. "I will arrange for her to go home by cab today."
"What's the story with her?" I whispered.
"Ten of fifteen only made it a month through her three-month contract with Grey. Elena didn't let on that Chelsea had a drinking problem. Grey got home on a Friday night and Chelsea was toasted. Mrs. Jones mentioned there was wine missing from storage. He was pissed that she was drunk and drove to Escala. There was a huge blowout with Elena over vetting a drunk as a submissive for him. He terminated her contract, took her car keys and had Taylor dump her in Elena's car to get her out of the penthouse."
"Can you talk to Grey and see if he can arrange for her to be admitted to an alcohol treatment center instead of turning her lose on Nashville?" I suggested.
"I'll talk to him. Maybe he knows where we can find her family and stage an intervention." Franco said. "But…there's something else. Chelsea was angry Grey terminated with her after a month; she sold the car he bought her, hired an escort to have rough sex with her and taped it. She emailed the video not to Grey's email account, but to the question/answer page on the Grey Enterprises Holdings website. She posted it on some BDSM free video site. It was ugly for IT to try to clean it out of the server and keep it from going viral."
"My sainted auntie's panties. Seriously Franco – are Dr. Charlotte and I the only two sane women that man had in his life before he met Mrs. Grey?" I shake my head. "Well, since I can be thermonuclear hormonal during my cycle, he probably doesn't consider me sane either."
"Leila is number eleven of fifteen. She's on the East Coast, so we don't have to worry about her." Before we had a chance to do anything, the sound of a crash in the bathroom interrupted us. Franco and I burst into the bathroom and were treated to the sight of passed-out Chelsea sporting crotchless underwear. "I'll make that call now." He said. "You know, some things you just can't forget…like her tramp stamp and that underwear. There's just not enough Purell in the world."
XX
Our next young ladies were Danielle Lewis who chose Los Angeles; and Amy Harris who chose Shreveport. Susannah was in the main powder room when Franco returned from taking Amy to the door of the suite. "Tell me about this next one," I asked Franco. "She was the last sub for Grey before he met and married Mrs. Grey."
"Susannah Martin lasted a whopping two months. Mr. Grey had to leave Escala for some reason. Susannah got bored and went down to the Escala gym for a swim. When he returned two hours later she was caught on CCTV by Taylor stripping in the sauna room in front of one of the single male residents. I heard that Grey told Elena he wanted to cane the shit out of her, but when he brought her back up to the penthouse, he had changed his mind. He coldly terminated her contract and ordered her out of the penthouse in fifteen-twenty minutes."
"How do you know these things?" I shook my head at Franco.
"She was raging at Elena in Esclava. I was in the supply room which was next to Elena's office. I heard them arguing with one another. Elena called to check in with Susannah while Grey was gone. She suggested Susannah keep herself occupied until Grey's return. Elena suggested there wouldn't be an issue with Susannah using the gym because Grey liked his women to keep fit. Elena didn't seem to be surprised that Susannah was terminated because Mr. Grey does not share."
"Do you think Elena set Susannah up?" I frowned.
"Susannah met Leila and talked to her about contracting with Grey. She and Leila had several conversations before the contract was signed. Leila told Susannah to call her for advice before she called Elena. But Leila married and her husband didn't want her to be friends with anyone from her old life. I think Elena was worried about Susannah going the distance like Leila. Leila certainly would not have told Susannah to go down to the gym. She would have advised Susannah to take a nap, or have a bubble bath, or watch TV." He shrugged. "Instead Susannah got lousy advice from Elena which caused the termination of her contract. Elena gave Grey a couple of weeks to cool off, but then she started hounding him to take on a new submissive."
"Kassidy Morgan?" I suggested.
"How did you know?" Franco asked.
"Kassidy came to me and asked for funds to go home to San Diego. She was waiting around for the contract with Grey, but he met Miss Steele. Elena tried to get Grey to terminate with Miss Steele, but he wouldn't give her up. Elena was pissed and abused Kassidy physically and verbally. I gave Kassidy money and took her to the airport. I haven't heard from her since."
"Well, let's get Miss Martin finished and get on with our lives." Franco said.
Susannah explained she was moving to Portland at the end of the week. She was signing a long-term contract with Josh Hendricks. She had already closed her bank accounts and terminated her lease on her condo. She arranged to sell her furniture, pack her personal things and wanted Franco to give her $50K now to leave on Friday morning for Portland. Franco negotiated $25K now and $25K on Friday morning with an additional thousand for travel/moving expenses. He would meet her in the Pike Market Place Starbucks at nine o'clock to finalize the deal.
I wished her good luck on her new adventure, and recommended she have an escape plan if her contract with Hendricks ended badly. She said she might return to her family in Boise if all else failed. I know she did not heed my warnings about Josh. She was getting her long-term contract where the Dom provided for her. She didn't think or plan beyond that.
XX
As soon as Susannah departed, Franco's phone rang. "Yes sir, we're done. Chelsea, Sabine and I. Yes sir. Understood." He hung up. "Mr. Grey requests you depart the hotel. Please call me when you are a minimum of ten blocks away. He is sending a doctor and medical technicians. The doctor called Chelsea's parents. He has their permission to put Chelsea in a treatment center in Port Angeles. After 28 days, they will move her to a treatment facility near her family in Spokane. The doctor is taking care of everything to keep Grey's name out of it."
"Well, I'm out of here then," I hand him the forms I have and his charge card for paying for the plane tickets with the list of dates, times, airlines and submissives so he could be at the airport on time. "Lunch was interesting…let's do it again sometime when there aren't snarky brunettes around to give us indigestion."
XX
Same day, evening
Aedan and Sabine's home
The third time Sabine thought she heard the mudroom door rattle; she decided to go to the club. She dressed, grabbed her purse and set the alarm. The wind was up; but she didn't intend to jump at every little noise the house made tonight.
XX
Same day, evening
Locke and Keyes
Sabine's POV
"What are you doing here?" Aedan brushed his lips against mine.
"It was a lousy day. I thought I was hearing noises at the house. I know you are busy with the club, but when you have time, come dance with me. I brought dinner," I hold up a picnic basket. "It took me a couple of stores, but I managed to recreate our picnic dinner on the train from Paris to Rome."
Aedan smiled. "Lonely for me?"
"I'm in a mood," I say. "I thought I would lock myself in here and just be available when you have time for me. I'm wearing AP underwear," I whisper.
"Oh, you bad girl," he smiled. "Are you hoping I will take advantage of you?"
"There is still a lot of furniture we haven't broken in yet…" I suggest.
"Indeed there are," Aedan said. "Okay, I'm game. I have ten minutes right now. Let's go dance. At the top of every hour, we'll dance for ten minutes. When I have a longer break, we'll have that picnic. Otherwise, I want you to stay behind locked doors. I don't want you mingling with the customers. It was a tough day for you, so don't do any work – just read, or watch videos or a movie. Come get cheeky with me." Aedan took me by the hand and lead me to the dance floor. He called out to the DJ to play a slow song for us.
When the music began for Truly, Madly, Deeply by Savage Garden, Aedan drew me into his arms, and reminded me he was an excellent dancer, and a romantic at heart.
XX
When Locke and Keyes was closed for the night, Aedan returned to the office. He turned off the CCTV. "Strip for me baby."
I complied, and gave a twirl in my AP underwear.
"Push the wall," he ordered.
I turned and bent, leaning, my hands flat against the wall.
He came up behind me and slowly removed my panties, spreading my legs. His hands cupped my breasts; moving the cup ribbons to reveal my nipples. One arm wrapped around my waist and one hand wrapped my braid around his arm. "Do you want me?" He teased… brushing against me.
"I'm here for your pleasure, sir," I murmured to him.
"That's not what I asked, Sabine. I asked if you wanted me." He brushed against me again.
"Yes Aedan, I want you. I always want you." I replied, breathily.
He slid into me with one thrust. I am helpless against him. His mouth nipped my shoulder blade as he pulled my head up by my braid; making my back arch. His arm circled my waist again and he slid in and out of me over and over. His hand bounced lightly over my stomach and down to my apex. I came violently as his fingers stroked my heated flesh. I cried out his name, my body shuddering in the unbearable pleasure of Aedan buried deep in me. Aedan continued his thrusts, bringing me closer to another climax. At the moment of my climax, I arched into his thrust, grinding against him, causing him to groan as he lost control. We sank to the floor, my back to his front and we're both shaking. He turns me in his arms, kissing me, taking my breath from me. "God I love you," he said, rubbing his knuckles up and down my arms. "Tomorrow is Sunday – let's take your new car out for a long Sunday drive – maybe Leavenworth? We'll get lunch, go to late mass tomorrow night, sleep in on Monday, go to brunch somewhere, and spend Monday afternoon online shopping for Christmas presents. I just want you to have some down time in the next few days where you aren't concentrating on fixing Elena cock ups."
"Sounds like a plan," I said. "But sometime during the daylight tomorrow, I need you to look at the door to the mudroom. It was making all kinds of noises tonight and bothered the hell out of me."
XXXXX
Tuesday, December 13, 2011
Grey Management
Sabine's POV
"Sorry, it took me longer to do the club books this morning than I planned," I apologize to Franco when I finally breeze into Grey Management after ten. "I can stay and work through until eight tonight. With all the interruptions, I haven't gotten as far with the paperwork as I prefer. So, let's plan on ordering in lunch and dinner."
"Sorting?" Franco asked.
"Yeah, it's about time to get dug in to those boxes of things." I said.
"Should we start with the 50 boxes of files we found in empty lockers at all the Esclava Salons when we did inventory?"
"I don't want to handle this stuff more than we have to. Let's sort all the marked boxes into locations. Then we can open the unmarked boxes and begin sorting. Turn on some music and let's go for it."
"I'll get a shredder, a large trash can, more banker boxes, markers, empty files and labels." Franco said. "And I'll get Cole to start a new pot of coffee."
XX
"Why a phonebook?" I asked Franco as I opened a box.
"I think it has an ad for Esclava Salons," Franco said. "Otherwise, I can't think of why to keep it?"
I flipped through until I found the ad. I copied the front of the phone book and the ad. I stapled them together and put them in a box for the Bravern Center Esclava. I threw the phone book into a garbage can. "It's nice to be able to get rid of two inches of material in exchange for two pages," I laughed. "I can file that ad with the financials for its purchase when we find them."
"I'm ordering lunch," Cole stepped around the corner of the conference room. "Any suggestions?"
"Not the sandwich place," Franco said. "I haven't used them since we found out the delivery kid was testing our firewall for weaknesses."
'Thai Dyed," Gage suggested. "Organic Thai food; they deliver; the prices are decent and we can order hot, hotter, hottest if we want. I like them because their food boxes, napkins and the silverware are biodegradable. It's made from corn or straw not plastic." He offered us a menu.
"Sounds good to me," I said, perusing the menu. "I want Sweet Basil Shrimp, jasmine rice, and braised carrot strips. Order double for me so I have stuff for dinner. And get some green tea bags."
XX
"There are no tracking devices in the office or in the hallway. Thai Dyed is safe to order for delivery to the office in the future." Cole suggested. "I still recommend we will pick up any orders from the deli; no more deliveries here since they tried to hack our firewall. Let me know when you are ordering from there and I will get someone to watch them and see who they talk to." Cole suggested. "Although, if the delivery kid comes back, I can try to clone his cell phone. It might provide some answers."
"I don't have time to deal with this shit," Franco said. "Incursions have stopped at Elena's house and the salons. I have a close protection detail to keep people from breaking into my condo. Sabine and my cars are no longer being tracked. But…we're not home free yet…there are way too many people out there who want the juicy details of Elena's life. We need to check for listening devises daily, and especially before and after deliveries."
"We've finished the private parking area at Locke and Keyes, so my car isn't getting vandalized any more. If anyone knows who the tall, thin motorcyclist was that slashed my tires, I'd like to catch them." I shrugged.
"I'm still laying bets that it's Isaac. He liked motorcycles and that physical description fits him." Franco noted.
"Yeah?" Cole asked. "The problem is…is he working for someone, or is he a free agent? And…what exactly is he seeking?"
XXXXX
Friday evening, December 16, 2011
Portland, Oregon
Josh Hendricks POV
I motioned for Susannah to kneel at the coffee table. I sat on the couch and pulled out our contract. I did not have to order her to sign; she was eager to take on the role and duties I offered. She just signed over power of attorney to me. She believed she signed only a contract, which allowed me to take charge if something happened, like an accident. Legally I have final say over her in health and financial matters. She gave up her freedom for my protection 24/7. I provide her with housing, food, clothing and a small stipend. I choose who she sees, what she wears, where she goes, and how she fucks. She will go to the gym daily and to the salon weekly if necessary. She will learn how to dress appropriately, apply her make up correctly, and how to walk and talk like a lady. She will take etiquette courses. I will NOT be embarrassed by her speech or actions.
I do not love her, but she is pretty and fun and has few hard limits. She will live in the housekeeper's quarters at the house. We will not share a bedroom or a bed. The playroom will be located in the largest bedroom in her quarters, away from discovery by my family. She will keep it locked at all times, unless I order her to meet me there. When I need a release, Susannah will be available to me. She will be a domestic slave and a sexual submissive.
I choose the entertainment for our time out of the house. I decide if we are going to dinner and a movie; to an art museum; or for a hike and a picnic. I decide what we watch if we watch TV together. I will not allow her to have a TV in her suite. She will not waste time watching TV or videos; unless it is educational videos. She will become proficient at my hobbies. She will learn to play tennis. She will learn to play golf. She will learn to sail. She will learn to shoot. She has many things to learn.
She will not leave the house unless I give her permission or orders to do so. She will clean my home in her underwear. She will take care of the laundry and take things to the cleaners. She will present a weekly menu to me on Thursday evening. She will shop, bank and run errands on Friday. She will oversee the landscaping and snow removal crews. She will decorate the exterior of the house seasonally. She will represent us at home association meetings if I cannot attend. She will take cooking classes. She will take stripper/lap dancing classes. She will take ballroom dance classes. She will take masseuse classes. She will take classes in floral arrangement. She will take introductory wine courses. She will take art appreciation, music appreciation, and film appreciation classes. She will take fundraising and event planning classes.
I will spend my time ensuring the new branch of my family's business prospers. If I require Susannah's help – she will provide entertainment for difficult clients. She will play hostess at business dinner parties. She will prepare gourmet holiday meals if my family comes to visit. When my family meets her, I will let them know she is just a friend with benefits and not to get attached, because I'm not. I know that submissives fall in love with their Dom more often than a Dom falls in love with a submissive. I just have to keep that in mind and go from there. If I ever meet my soul mate; Susannah will be the first to know, because her presence in my life will depend upon decisions made by my love.
XXXXX
Later that day
Grey Management
Franco's POV
"The sharks are coming out of the woodwork now. Jade Simmons knew her stepson; Andrew Barkley was involved with Elena. Jade sent an email to Grey House that she intends to file a ten million dollar lawsuit against Elena's estate for Andrew being abused for two years. She thinks since the pedophilia allegation is out there in the universe, she can cash in on her kid working under the table for Elena since he was sixteen. His father is a long haul truck driver; rarely at home. Jade was supposed to be parenting the kid when Elena got her hands on him."
"Did Andrew file the suit or is it the stepmother looking to cash in?" Sabine asked.
"Cole found him in Texas. We sent an email early this morning for a Skype meeting with Andrew at six our time. He'll be off work by then and agreed to talk to me. I want you to sit in on the interview."
XX
Skype between Andrew Barkley and Franco de Luca
Franco's POV
"My stepmother, Jade, told Elena's heir that she plans to file a multi-million dollar lawsuit against Elena's estate, alleging that I was one of Elena's victims and asking for damages?" Andrew frowned.
"Yes, she emailed the heir; he contacted me. Our security team found you, which is the reason for this morning's email and tonight's Skype." I admitted.
"Well, the bitch has balls," Andrew commented. "I guess it's time for me to get a restraining order against her. She has no right to discuss my private life with anyone."
"Is there any truth to her allegations?" Sabine asked Andrew. "You told me you had been Elena's sub for three years, and I found out you were 18."
"Look, my private life is just that…private. I'll sign anything you need me to sign to say that my stepmother's allegations are false." Andrew said. "I didn't consider Elena a pedophile. She protected me when Jade was a verbally and physically abusive drunk. Any pictures of bruises Jade claims came from Elena were the result of Jade assaulting me. I was 15 when I met Elena. I stole my stepmother's car one night to get away from her abusive drunk ass. I planned to drive to Texas and live with my mother. The car broke down in the middle of the night before I ever left town. Elena was driving past and picked me up. She kept me warm in her car until a tow truck came. They put gas in the car and gave it a jump start. Elena paid the tow truck."
"She gave me her number and I agreed to see her again. I wanted to see her. She made sure I went to school; I had food to eat; I had medical assistance when needed; I had clothes for school; I studied and graduated from high school. She kept me from fighting, drinking and doing drugs. I choose to be with Elena because she took care of me. My stepmother loved the extra money I earned as an errand boy for Esclava Salons. It meant she could drink away the money my father gave her for my support."
He paused and calmed himself. "Elena and I argued when I graduated. I didn't want to stay in Seattle and sell my body just to survive. I left because I don't want to be involved in that life anymore. I joined the Army within a week of graduation. I'm stationed at Fort Hood in Texas. My mom and a younger sister live less than two hours from me. I see them a lot on the weekends. I help my mom out as much as I can financially and physically. If you email a NDA to me, I'll sign it and send it back. Good luck, god bless and don't contact me again. If anyone, especially Jade, approaches you for information about me – remember I'm an adult and have a right to my privacy. Do not tell that bitch where to find me, and don't give her any money because I will never see it."
"Franco will email you the NDA. I will go to my husband's club tonight and shred anything we have regarding you…deal?"
"That's a deal." Andrew bid us goodnight and our Skype session closed.
"Franco, how tall do you think Andrew is?" Sabine asked.
"He's probably not reached his full height yet, but I think he's over six feet tall." I said.
"Hum, over six feet tall, muscular, curly hair, green eyes – just Elena's type." Sabine sighed. "When you give Grey the NDA; perhaps you can convince him to send some money to Andrew's mother. It sounds like they are having a rough go of it. I don't want Andrew to resort to prostitution to support his mother and sister. I want him to be able to make a career out of the Army if that's what he wants. Grey has sources where he could get the mother's bank information for us. If he won't send money to Andrew, I will."
"Count me in, too," I said. "I'll match what you donate. Lord knows that boy could probably get a sizeable settlement from Elena's estate if he pushed it."
"What was it about that woman that makes people either want to protect her or kill her?" Sabine asked.
XXXXX
Saturday, December 17, 2011
Escala
Christian's POV
"Merry Christmas, Mr. Grey," Taylor set a funeral urn on my desk in my home office.
I quirked an eyebrow at him.
"It's everything Miss Falco found in Elena Lincoln's home regarding you. It's every picture, CD, DVD, newspaper clipping, birthday card, note, photograph, copy of an email, NDA, contract, PI reports of Mrs. Grey, her family, Miss Kavanagh and Mr. Rodriguez. All destroyed. Ashes to ashes to your old life, sir. Elena Lincoln no longer controls you. She can no longer hurt Ana, the baby or your family," Taylor handed me a glass of bourbon. We toasted the urn and drank.
"What should I do with the ashes?" I asked.
"I thought the next time you take The Grace out, you might want to dispose of them at sea." Taylor said.
"I won't get out for a long time, not until after Teddy is born," I said.
"Do I have your permission to dump them in the incinerator of the building?" Taylor asked. "Give them a second toasting?"
"Thank you, Taylor." I suddenly feel free, except for the monumental feeling of gratitude I owe Sabine.
"You are quite welcome, sir." Taylor gathered our glasses and the urn and departed.